Suspect in Kintanar slay cleared by PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) virtually cleared a former cadre of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the killing of former chieftain Romulo Kintanar last month.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Delfin, PNP director for intelligence, said the investigation will focus on the possible involvement of another former cadre after Melchor Bartolome, 54, surrendered to authorities last Saturday.

"We have evaluated our findings about this case and we have reason to believe that Bartolome may have nothing to do with Kintanar’s murder. We have to clear him," Delfin said.

Delfin said the police are pursuing a good lead on the Kintanar case although he declined to provide details to avoid jeopardizing ongoing operations.

He maintained that the Special Operations Group under the National Partisan Command perpetrated Kintanar’s killing last Jan. 23 in Quezon City.

Bartolome, who is now under the custody of the PNP Intelligence Group, denied any role in Kintanar’s murder.

A father of four, Bartolome claimed he quit the movement in 1976, the same year his wife Yolly gave birth to his first child.

"Binigay ko ang sarili ko sa kanila (PNP) kasi kinakabahan ako para sa pamilya ko…wala akong kinalaman sa pagkamatay ni Rolly Kintanar," he said, adding that he does not know Kintanar personally.

According to PNP Intelligence Group director Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, Bartolome decided to surrender after he and his family felt the pressure from individuals seen conducting surveillance operations at their family residence in Pililia, Rizal.

"He sought the help of his colleagues at the Couple’s for Christ to be able to talk to the authorities," he said. – Christina Mendez